Zac Brown Band - "The Wind" (Southern Ground/Atlantic)
The lead single to Uncaged, "The Wind" is a sub three minute musical tour-de-force which showcases the band's fantastic musicianship along with Zac's sturdy tenor voice. The song talks about being like the wind in that he'll always be there for his girl. Strong stuff from one of the best bands in all of music, no matter the genre. "The Wind" is everything people have come to expect from Zac Brown Band. There are great harmonies wrapped up in a melody that is both contemporary country and traditional country-leaning at the same time.
Read the full-length review here.
Gretchen Wilson - "One Good Friend" (Redneck Records)
When you think of Gretchen Wilson, bluesy power ballad doesn't come to mind but sounding like a slightly countrified Nancy Wilson. This here is the kind of subdued, bluesy, strong vocal performance that a singer like Carrie Underwood should also be able to give us (but instead we more often than not get shouting). Gretchen doesn't over use her powerful alto here, instead she sings the melody and grows with the music as it picks up pace towards the end of the track. This rivals "When I Think About Cheating" and "Redneck Woman" as the best single of Gretchen Wilson's career.
Trace Adkins - "Them Lips (On Mine)" (Show Dog-Universal)
Trace Adkins has one of the best voices in all of country music. Not only is he able to sing sensual power ballads and emotion-filled tunes with equal power, he's also able to shamelessly sing ditties that have often been his biggest hits. "Them Lips (On Mine)" feels like like a more mature take on "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)" which means that it sounds perfect for country radio while also not being the dittiest of ditties of Trace Adkins' career. It's a solid, down the middle hit and that's exactly what Trace needs to launch his third Show Dog-Universal album this fall.
Bill Gentry - "That Kind of Life" (Tenacity Records)
This guy's had a couple of singles in the past, one on his own and one after becoming the flagship artist for Tenacity. Those singles were solid and fared well on the Music Row and secondary radio charts but this one is the first one that sounds like something that could break through all radio markets. The uptempo, uplifting lyric recalls me of something that Collin Raye or Craig Morgan would record and Gentry has himself a strong voice that also recalls Craig Morgan just a little but. Some would say that means Gentry's doomed but in my eyes that means he's got a hell of a lot of talent and a nice feel-good single to get him up the charts.
Katie Armiger - "Better With A Black Dress" (Cold River Records)
Now here's something with loads of charm and tempo. The production is intoxicating and Katie Armiger's vocal delivery continues to impress and amaze. Quite simply, Katie Armiger has grown into a vocalist worthy of any and all attention and "Better With A Black Dress" is an attitude-filled anthem (about not wanting to rush into marriage or anything like that). It should easily become her biggest hit at radio to date and it may finally be the young twenty something artist her first Billboard and Aircheck breakthrough hit. It's that strong.
Listen To "Better in a Black Dress" here.
Andy Gibson - "Summer Back" (Curb)
Hot on the heels of his top 25 tune “Wanna Make You Love Me” comes a single destined for summer time and success. The Gibson penned song is homage to as he says” vacations we have had that we wish we could go back and relive but at least we did it and we have those memories.” Gibson’s smooth vocals perfectly flow over the music and the harmonies are outstanding. It is simply impossible not to sing along with this song and tap your feet. - Lori Moneypenny
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